Jongens
| Jongens | |
|---|---|
 Dutch theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Mischa Kamp |
| Written by | Chris Westendorp Jaap-Peter Enderle |
| Produced by | Iris Otten Sander van Meurs Pieter Kuijpers |
| Starring | Gijs Blom Ko Zandvliet Stijn Taverne |
| Cinematography | Melle van Essen |
| Edited by | Katarina Türler |
| Music by | Rutger Reinders |
Production company | Pupkin Film |
Release date |
|
Running time | 76 minutes[1] |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Language | Dutch |
Jongens (translated as: Boys) is a 2014 coming of age drama film produced in the Netherlands. It was directed by Mischa Kamp and features Gijs Blom, Ko Zandvliet and Stijn Taverne. The film was released on 9 February 2014.
Plot
Sieger is a fifteen-year-old boy, living with his widowed father, Theo, and his brother, Eddy, who, burdened with his mother's death, clashes with and acts out against his father. Along with his best friend (Stef), Sieger is a member of the local athletics team. They—and two other boys, Tom and Marc—are chosen to represent the team at the national championship relay race. In order to win, they must train intensively.
One day, they decide to go swimming in a nearby river. After Stef and Tom leave, Sieger and Marc share two kisses. Confused, Sieger insists that he isn't gay, to which Marc responds, "Of course you're not," before Sieger heads home. Despite the incident, the boys remain close friends. When Stef meets and begins dating a local girl named Kim, Sieger feels pressured to romance her best friend, Jessica, and suppress his feelings for Marc.
One weekend, the athletics team goes on a training trip. On the first night, Sieger sneaks out, and Marc follows him to the beach, where they spend the rest of the night kissing and resting in each other's arms. When they return home, Sieger, Jessica, Stef, and Kim attend a fair. Also at the fair, Marc sees them and wants to join up. However, afraid that the truth will come out, Sieger tries to ignore Marc. He manages to distract and appease Jessica by winning her a stuffed animal; and after, Jessica kisses Sieger, stirring in Marc feelings of confusion and pain.
Some days later, Sieger attempts to make up with Marc, and they agree to go swimming that evening. However, Theo and Eddy get into a fight after Theo learns Eddy was fired from his job a while ago and has been spending the time riding motorbikes with his friends. Theo locks up the motor bike. Instead of going to the river, Sieger tries to convince his brother to come home. Eddy won't heed his pleas but offers him a ride. On the way, they almost hit Marc while he's riding his bike. Marc gets the chance to ask Sieger why did not turn up at their appointment, and Sieger, afraid to be caught speaking to Marc, does not answer him and walks off.
On the day of the relay race, Sieger offers Marc a simple "Sorry" which Marc, waiting for an explanation that does not come, tells Sieger to go back to his "charade." Despite this, the team wins. Sieger, Eddy, Theo, and Stef celebrate with dinner at Sieger's house, where Theo gives Eddy back his motorbike. Stef reveals that he knows about Sieger and Marc, telling Sieger "that they make a good team". At dinner, Theo notices Sieger acting rather introverted and asks if he is okay. Sieger answers "no," jumps on the motorbike, and drives away.
The final scene shows Sieger driving Eddy's motorbike with Marc on the back, embracing him. Perhaps to the beach, but as the words of the final song indicates Sieger is on a journey of self-acceptance. They are finally together and appear to be happy.
Cast
- Gijs Blom as Sieger
- Ko Zandvliet as Marc
- Jonas Smulders as Eddy
- Ton Kas as Theo
- Stijn Taverne as Stef
- Myron Wouts as Tom
- Ferdi Stofmeel as Coach
- Lotte Razoux Schultz as Jessica
- Rachelle Verdel as Kim
- Julia Akkermans as Eddy's girlfriend
- Jeffrey Hamilton as Niclas
- Rifka Lodeizen as Marc's mother
- Micha Hulshof as snack bar owner
- Caroline Olde Rikkert as perfume shop owner
- Roosmarijn van der Hoek as Neeltje
Background
The movie was first aired on 9 February 2014 on NPO Zapp, a Dutch channel for children and young teens. The movie was a success so film distributor ABC Cinemien/ABC Distribution eventually decided to release the movie in Dutch theatres.[2] This release was also a success so the film was sold to US, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Poland, France and Germany.[3][4] Furthermore the movie was shown at the Seattle International Film Festival,[5] the Vancouver Queer Film Festival,[6] the Out-on-Film-Festival in Atlanta[7] and Frameline Film Festival[8]
Soundtrack
Sound design and mixing was done by Marco Vermaas and some[which?] music was produced by Rutger Reinders.
- I Apologize (Dear Simon) by Moss (Intro & Closing Song)
- Love Like This by Kodaline
- Just a Boy by Angus & Julia Stone
- Princes by Oscar & The Wolf
- Midnight City by M83
Awards
The movie won four awards at the Zlín-Jugendfilmfestival 2014 in Czech Republic:[9]
- First award international youth jury for best youth movie
- First award international oecumenical jury
- Public award "Golden Apple" for best movie
- Miloš Macourek Award for best youth actor in a youth movie given to Gijs Blom
References
- ^ "BOYS (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
- ^ "Telefilm jongens gaat toch bioscioop" (in Dutch). 17 April 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ "Jongens grote winnaar jeugdfilmfestival Tsjechie" (in Dutch). 4 June 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ van Hoeij, Boyd (5 May 2014). "Boys film review". www.hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 24 September 2014..
- ^ "Boys". www.siff.net. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ "Boys (Jongens)". http://www.queerfilmfestival.ca. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ "Boys". http://www.outonfilm.org. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ "Boys". Retrieved 14 September 2014.
- ^ "54th Zlín Film Festival Awards" (PDF). Retrieved 24 September 2014.